Taking a Breath

I have decided to step back from my huge curtain project for a moment so I can catch my breath. I put away the curtain panel this weekend and worked on a couple of other things. And, my, did I get a lot done! I mean, I've been working on the curtains for over two months. It is time for me to be able to work on something else, but I think my little fingers were a little too excited to work on something that actually showed progress readily.

**********Christmas Spoiler**********

I started the scarf to match the adorable hat I made for Jessica. I finished all of the knitting, too, I just have to graft the two ends together and then block it. But I am saving all of the blocking for the end, I think. I also started and finished two pair of cable slipper socks. They are adorable. I have decided to make them for everyone for Christmas next year (it will be a lot easier for me to make them for everyone and be done and able to work on other projects, too). I mean, I'll have to think of something else to do for the ones who are getting cabled slippers this year, but my projects for next year will only take about a month or so of serious knitting and then I'll be able to work on the charity project my family is doing.

This year, I am just having to work way too much on Christmas projects. That is all I've done, except for my curtains. I worried about being able to finish everything by Christmas, but I think that I don't really have anything to worry about. I mean, the socks that I was planning on making for my dad may have to wait, but as long as I get the tie done in time, I think it will be fine. I'm going to send the gifts out a little before Christmas, and I just can't wait for the tie. I finally found a pattern that doesn't look so stupid. Most hand-knitted ties look ridiculous and stupid, and I am so glad that it looks like a normal tie. I ordered a gorgeous Bordeaux kettle-dyed merino wool/nylon blend for the project, and I just can't wait--it's going to be so beautiful. I think it will look great and so elegant with a navy blue or black suit.

**********End Christmas Spoiler**********

While all this knitting is going on, I finished watching The Pretender and started watching The Practice. I really like the show, but it's only three seasons and I'm already into season 2 (the first season was only six episodes long). I want to see how many seasons of how many shows it takes me to work on the curtains.

Turning the Heel

I am so excited that I've taught myself how to turn a heel. I am going to be a sock-knitting machine! On Monday, I was knitting for about 16 hours and I finished a lovely little ankle sock. Next time, I'm going to use bigger needles, chunkier yarn, and spend less time on a single sock!

But I couldn't believe how easy it was--why on earth was it so hard for me to figure out? The gusset is so incredibly easy! It is all just a piece of cake. Making the heel flap, turning the heel, making the gusset--so simple. So if anyone wants a pair of socks, I will be more than happy to teach you how to turn the heel! You'll love it.

The socks I'm making are black ankle socks with a really pretty lace pattern. I knitted one whole sock on Monday, and then on Wednesday, I knitted about half the second sock and ran out of yarn. I thought I had enough--so I was kind of upset. It's dye-lotted yarn, so I can only hope that the next skein I get doesn't clash too badly. So, I'll probably get enough next time to make another pair of socks, too, so that I can choose to do that later on.

The funniest thing about knitting the sock is that the yarn isn't colorfast, so, by the end of the day, my fingers had turned greyish black and it was so deeply engrained into the prints on my fingers that I just finally got it all out this morning.